Good morning. Your priorities would entirely depend on what you like to do. If you go to "St Thomas" in the link above you'll find lots of information about the island and what it has to offer. There's pretty much everything for everybody. Definitely rent a car at least for a few days. Taxis charge per person (rates are likewise posted under the STT link) and the fares add up very quickly. Take a day trip to St John to explore that beautiful island (ferry information is under "Quick Links" top right this page). As far as safety goes take the same precautions as you would take wherever you travel or even in your own home town. Avoid obviously "seedy" areas, poorly lit areas; don't wear flashy jewelry; when going to the beach leave your valuables behind and get yourself a swim pack to carry into the water with you. They come in all sizes, are designed to hold a credit card, cash, license, cellphone, keys, etc. and are very comfortable to wear while swimming and snorkeling.

Enjoy the planning and have a wonderful time.

Since you did not say what you want to do this ism hard to answer. But to the safe part of your question here is my advise.

1. Dn not be in a place that feels unsafe.

2. Nothing good happens after 11:00PM.

3. Avoid KNOWN p[roblem areas, especially after 11:00PM.

4. Stay at a location that most tourests stay at.

billd

I am also heading to STT this weekend for a week long stay, Sunday to Sunday. Wow I've read alot lately on the crime issues, kinda scary being a younger woman. I guess the tourist areas are my safest bet!! Although I was ideally hoping to look at rental properties for a PMV etc, I will play it safe in all aspects of my trip.

Billd or STT resident: Would you recommend a day trip to St. John or St. Croix? If I can only do one day trip, is one better than the other for relaxing beaches, fun bars/restaurants, etc for a young couple? Also, would it be best to bring our rental car fromm STT to the other island for the day or just walk around or cab it once we are there?

Thanks in advance!! So looking forward to Sunday!!!!
~Jill
😎

I've been coming to ST Thomas for 5 years now. And I honestly have never felt unsafe. Now granted I have never been in residential areas mostly I'm in Red Hook after dark and I'll mainly be at Sapphire otherwise. Any of the locals that I've met are always friendly and I never feel threatened. I suppose that it depends on where in the world you are from and what you are use to, but anywhere a visitor is should not really be exposed to crime. As to your second question on what to do, the answer is simple, what ever you want it is paradise.

Definitely plan a day trip to St John and if you rent from anyone but Hertz you can take your vehicle over on the car barge and explore it to your heart's content! A trip to STX is a whole 'nother ballgame. STX is much further away, the on-again off-again ferry is I believe still off after having run aground but isn't a recommended method of transportation, and the only decent way to get to STX is by plane. There's plenty to do between STT and STJ for such a short visit.

Enjoy a wonderful visit and don't worry!

My priorities:

Snorkeling/Beaching

Driving around, expecially up to the North End.

Staying away from Charlotte Amalie....I'm not a shopper and I've done the history thing.

Sunset at Paradise Point.

Taking the Ferry over to STJ

If it's your first time, a trip to the BVI's is a must with a stop at the Baths and then onto Jost Van Dyke

Dinner at Lattitude 18...just the road to that restaurant is a must.....lol

Have a painkiller and enjoy the view.

By the way...where are you staying?

Thank you for the info STT resident! Yep we got a Jeep for the week and with the help of your advice, plan to take it across to STJ for at least one full day. Definitely going to do the full day BVI trip, sounds amazing!!!

To Connie: I know this is Ruby's orginal post, but I am going to take advantage as I had similar questions...... I am staying at the Sugar Bay resort on the East End. And specific advice for that area would be appreciated! We def plan to buy alcohol & wine at a local store near Red Hook so if you know of a grocery or liquor store that's close, I'd love the info.

Can't wait to experience paradise!!! 😎

Jill, you can even buy alcohol and wine at the airport if you want. Staying on the East End is very convenient. There's the food center and then marina market for anything that you need.

You''ll be close to the Ferry and there are numerous restaurants right in Red Hook.

For the best value on wines and liquors I'd suggest the Plaza Extra supermarket which is in the Tutu Park Mall - about a 10 minute drive from Sugar Bay. In the same amount of time you could go into Red Hook and hit Marina Market and Food Center but both are considerably more expensive than Plaza and don't have the selection which Plaza offers. The liquor prices at the airport are quite a bit higher than anywhere on island and the only advantage which some visitors seem to like is that if upon exiting the territory you purchase there which is beyond security you can carry on the box, otherwise it has to be checked in.

Enjoy!

I'm staying at a private unit in the Elysian. What is near there for groceries and general shopping and where should we go for dinner and drinks and entertainment in the evening?

Groceries - Marina Market in Red Hook - Food Center in Frydenhoj - Plaza Extra in Tutu - Costuless and Pricesmart a little west of Tutu.
Restaurants - closest option is Red Hook and many others spread about the whole island.
General shopping ?? what products?

Do not listen to anything that billd says - his spelling is reason enough to understand that he is uneducated, scared of strange places and generally full of malaise. Staying safe in St.Thomas is just like the states...don't look like a drunk ass walking around looking for drugs and no one will mess with you. The crime rate is high but its kids killing kids and tourists rarely have any problems.
Best stuff to do: snorkel at coki; have a cocktail at fungi's/pt pleasant for sunset; dinner at oceana, room with a view, Caribbean saloon; best beaches are lindquist, sapphire, Megan's; coki; ST JOHN MUST BE ENJOYED AT LEAST ONE DAY; and slowwwwww down, as relaxing and being stress-free is a way of life here.

Always say good morning, good afternoon, good evening and people will generally be pleasant. This isn't the Mid-West of the states so realize people are not always friendly for no reason. This is the Caribbean and everyone has varying personalities so act accordingly. Follow the advice of your stateside servers and bartenders and not your resort workers and your trip will be great. Safe traveling!!!

Hubby and I got married on St Thomas in 2007 and we've returned yearly. We have never felt unsafe on any of our trips. The locals have always been friendly and helpful. Treat people with respect and you receive it in return. Our favorite thing to do is just RELAX!! We check out a different beach each time we're down there. We spend one day on St John at Trunk Bay. Our last night on the island is dinner at Herve's.